Don't make noise or Don't make a noise??

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girija

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Mar 24, 2007
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I just wanted to know which one is correct in this sentence, 'a noise' or just 'noise' ? Is it wrong to say 'Don't make a noise' ?
 

pyoung

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Dear girija:

There is a difference.

'Don't make noise,' means exactly that: Do not do anything to create noise. Other, perhaps more common, phrases are, 'Don't be noisy,' or 'Please be quiet.' You might make this request to a group of rowdy children, or to someone having a too-loud conversation in a library or other 'quiet' place.

'Don't make a noise,' (or, more commonly, 'Don't make a sound') is something you would say if you were in a situation where it was important to be absolutely silent. Examples are: hiding, sneaking up on someone, trying not to wake someone, etc.

I hope this is helpful,

Petra
 

Charlie Bernstein

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I'd mainly go with "Don't make noise" and "Don't make a sound."

"Don't make a noise" isn't a common phrase.
 
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